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Post by katet on Jun 11, 2023 11:36:55 GMT
Well, one day to go and I’ve done all the important things apart from packing 🤭. I’ll do it tonight- it should only take an hour, once I’ve ironed a few things. The weather is following its usual pattern for my holidays and being better in the UK than Skiathos! I’ve sorted plant watering out, thanks to a lovely neighbour and also my daughter-in-law, who is also taking me to the airport tomorrow. It’s the 8am flight - due to land at 13.45. Fingers crossed for no delays, which seem to be a more frequent occurrence of late. ‘Speak’ soon! 🇬🇷
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Post by kelso on Jun 11, 2023 11:47:57 GMT
Here’s wishing you a hassle free airport experience and a pleasant flight. Bob
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Post by exgreekgod on Jun 11, 2023 13:05:14 GMT
Safe journey, don't worry about the weather, it's lovely
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Post by exgreekgod on Jun 11, 2023 13:32:29 GMT
In town at the moment 27 and sun and cloud, beer's cold though 😁
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Post by katet on Jun 12, 2023 3:03:53 GMT
Good to hear, EGG - see you at The Water!
Thanks Bob - hope so 😎.
Was up at 3.15, now just having breakfast - my lift to the airport will be here in 45 mins. Am unreasonably excited!
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Post by balddave on Jun 12, 2023 5:09:03 GMT
Safe journey Kate, looking forward to your updates
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Post by katet on Jun 13, 2023 14:08:52 GMT
Kalispera all! Yesterday was a very long and tiring day (all my own fault!) but great fun.
I was up at daft o’clock to be ready in good time for Martha to pick me up just before 5am. She’s an absolute star! I think I had two hours sleep, as I still hadn’t packed or tidied up for the burglars at nine o’clock on Sunday evening - I’ve got a bit blasé about it nowadays, to be honest. I always get my currency, passport and hotel info ready beforehand and then grab the usual holiday ‘stuff’ in a mad rush 😂. I’ve only forgotten my hairbrush, so not bad going.
I was dropped off at 5.45 and through into the departure lounge by 6.15. Jet2 check in was smooth and efficient and I’d paid £6 for security fast track, so more or less just walked straight through and didn’t set any bleepers off for once. As I’d had some breakfast at home I just had a pomegranate iced tea (delicious) in one of the cafes whilst waiting for the gate to come up. We took off about half an hour late (for no apparent reason) but made most of that back as there was a tail-wind. We were flown by a lady pilot, but landed by the captain (who looked really young!). It was a comfortable almost-four hours and I took some good landing pics as I had a window seat. There was quite a long queue for passport control as it moves quite slowly these days. I was near the back of the queue so my case was through by the time I got into the baggage area. Another, shorter, queue for customs and then out into the glorious afternoon sunshine.
There were still some taxis outside, so I splashed out €10 for the ride to the port and Hotel Akti. I didn’t fancy hauling my case onto the bus … it was a hefty 18kg, so worth the extra €7 for convenience. The Akti is in a great spot - right on the new port, near the bus terminus and next to Fresh, where I had breakfast this morning. My room has a lovely view of the yachts with the Pounta across the water and the balcony is a reasonable size too. The room isn’t huge, though the bed is, and it has most things I need - including a small fridge, hairdryer and kettle. There’s a big wardrobe and enough drawers for my stuff. There aren’t quite enough hangers (I do bring too many clothes) and no safe, but that’s a minor issue (I hope!). The bathroom isn’t very big, but it’s got a decent shower with a proper holder for the shower head - quite important.
I unpacked and headed out for a leg-stretch and, by chance, met up with some friends who have been here for a couple of days already. We arranged to meet for dinner later and I went off to buy a new hairbrush, stopping off at a clothes shop en route and making an unscheduled purchase of some floaty trousers. Skiathos has the best shops for summer clothing in my humble opinion!
A quick shower and change and I was out again to meet the other two couples, so five of us had drinks and dinner at Sea U. I had Gorgonzola chicken and two glasses of rosé which was €30, including a tip. I had arranged to meet another friend at 11pm at the new live music bar, Sinners. It was fairly empty when we arrived but soon filled up and the band were very good - a five piece and quite bluesy. It’s quite a lot larger than Totem, with good aircon … about the same size as the Blind Dog. We stayed for a couple of hours and then walked back to our hotels together. (My friends are staying at the Christina, which is just behind the Akti.)
I regretted those last couple of glasses of wine this morning! I always seem to get a bit over-enthusiastic on the first night but never learn!
To be continued….
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Post by balddave on Jun 13, 2023 14:35:00 GMT
👍
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Post by exgreekgod on Jun 13, 2023 16:29:17 GMT
Welcome back. Sinners sounds good we'll have to give it a look. Went to Totem last night, busy but seemed to lack the same atmosphere as previous years. Walked past Fresh this morning saw someone who might have been you but didn't like to walk in😃
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Post by dennisn on Jun 13, 2023 18:30:33 GMT
Oh boy, Kate, this is wonderful reporting. But I hope you DID tidy up for the burglars - nothing more down market than somebody who leaves chaos for burglars - should be put before the courts and suffer the fullest extent of the punishment.
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Post by katet on Jun 14, 2023 15:28:01 GMT
Tuesday: I woke up to a fair bit of cloud so decided to have a walk round after eating breakfast at Fresh (it probably was me EGG, if it was around 10.30). I didn’t do much - walked around town for a couple of hours, just stopping off for a freddo coffee at More. I think it looks very nice after the refurb, but the chairs aren’t as comfortable as when it was Mythos. I had a brief chat with Nikos, who looks well. After that I browsed a few shops in Pap Street and bought some bits and bobs before going back to my room mid afternoon for a rest (& to catch up on here).
I went out at about 8 pm, intending to eat at Helinikon, and bumped into two friends on the way. We couldn’t get a table (and there were people waiting) so we decided to try Old Street Grill House. It was traditional Greek food and we had a warm welcome, but my moussaka was decidedly not warm, although it was very tasty. My meal came to €23, including a half carafe of rosé and water. We walked back through town, my friends went back to Mouria and I stopped for a nightcap at Astoria.
it was suppose to be an early night, but I wasn’t in bed until almost midnight.
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Post by exgreekgod on Jun 14, 2023 15:35:07 GMT
Yeah it was about that time! We moorhen about town too, went to Bourtzi for a while and then had a pleasant couple outside Portobello and did a bit of people watching. We then walked round to Liminaki and had a nice mixed grill, then back to the hotel for drinks on the balcony.
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Post by exgreekgod on Jun 14, 2023 15:36:05 GMT
mooched not moorhen😄
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Post by exgreekgod on Jun 14, 2023 15:38:57 GMT
Port house tonight at 7.30 and then we're having a look at Sinners.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 14, 2023 16:23:49 GMT
Apparently, moussaka is supposed to be nicer if you leave it to for a while.
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